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Meteorologists warn that the El Niño weather pattern could cause longer and worse droughts in the U.S., especially in the Plains region. This comes at a time when water use is rising due to more data centers being built, which use large amounts of water.
Key Facts
El Niño is a natural climate cycle that affects ocean and weather patterns every two to seven years.
It usually brings warmer weather to northern U.S. winters, wetter conditions in the south, and drier weather in the Midwest.
Current drought conditions affect nearly half of the U.S., including Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Data centers use millions of gallons of water daily and are growing rapidly in number across the country.
There is a 70% chance this El Niño will become a “Super El Niño,” which can cause long-lasting drought.
Past strong El Niños have triggered multi-year droughts in parts of the U.S. Plains.
El Niño conditions are expected to peak in the winter of 2026–27.
The current dryness across the U.S. is worse than in almost 95% of historical records.
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The President of the Inter-American Development Bank, Ilan Goldfajn, met with Pope Leo XIV to discuss the benefits of rare earth mining in Latin America. He emphasized the importance of doing mining with good labor, environmental, and governance standards to help local communities and support new technology industries.
Key Facts
Ilan Goldfajn is the head of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB).
He met privately with Pope Leo XIV to talk about rare earth mining opportunities.
The Vatican has long opposed multinational mining companies harming Indigenous peoples and the environment in Latin America.
Rare earth minerals are important for technologies like smartphones, electric cars, and jet engines.
The IADB has about $4 billion planned for mining projects in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, mostly with private partners.
Pope Leo XIV spent 20 years as a missionary in Peru, where he saw the impact of mining on local communities.
Earlier in 2026, Pope Leo met with mining executives but shortly after, the Vatican promoted divestment from mining companies.
The discussion highlights the challenge of balancing mining development with protecting Indigenous rights and the environment.
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Tunisia faces an energy shortage that costs the country billions of dollars yearly. The government recently approved five renewable energy projects run by foreign companies, but critics say this plan may increase Tunisia's dependence on outside firms and reduce public benefits.
Key Facts
Tunisia has an energy deficit costing about $3.8 billion, nearly half its trade deficit.
The deficit grows yearly because of higher energy use and lack of energy independence.
The government approved five renewable energy projects, mainly solar plants, to be managed by foreign companies.
These projects have a combined capacity of about 598 megawatts and involve $560 million in investments.
Critics say the national utility will only run the electricity grid, while foreign firms produce and profit from energy.
Public funds will cover infrastructure costs, while profits and carbon credits could go to the foreign companies.
Opponents warn there will be little job creation, technology sharing, or local benefits.
Despite public protests and strikes, parliament approved the projects, and some government officials were fired amid public anger.
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An Israeli court has found seven men guilty for their role in the 2021 lynching of Sa’id Moussa. Moussa was taken from his car and severely beaten during riots in May 2021. The court case lasted five years.
Key Facts
Seven men were convicted for the lynching of Sa’id Moussa.
The attack happened during riots in May 2021.
Sa’id Moussa was pulled from his car before being beaten unconscious.
The trial took five years to complete.
The incident took place in Israel.
The court’s decision marks the end of a long legal process.
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Joe Gillette noticed double vision one morning, which led to tests revealing Stage IV kidney cancer that had spread to multiple organs. After aggressive treatment including immunotherapy, radiation, brain surgery, and kidney tumor removal, his cancer is now under control with ongoing care.
Key Facts
Joe Gillette first noticed double vision, prompting a doctor visit and scans.
Tests showed Stage IV kidney cancer with tumors in his brain, lungs, bones, lymph nodes, stomach, and pancreas.
Gillette had no symptoms before the vision problem; COVID-19 infection indirectly helped catch the cancer early.
Treatment included immunotherapy, brain surgery, radiation, and a long medically induced coma for recovery.
After therapy, Gillette's tumors shrank, and he had successful surgery to remove the original kidney tumor.
He continues daily oral immunotherapy and regular check-ups including MRIs and endoscopies.
Doctors manage any new tumor growth with targeted radiation and immunotherapy to keep the cancer controlled.
Gillette volunteers with the American Cancer Society and emphasizes the importance of new cancer treatments.
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Colombia is having a presidential runoff vote between two candidates connected in different ways to paramilitary groups. One candidate favors a return to strong military action against armed groups, while the other supports continuing peace talks aimed at ending violence caused by various armed groups.
Key Facts
Colombia’s long conflict has caused nearly 500,000 deaths over decades.
Paramilitary groups were formed by right-wing elites to fight left-wing guerrillas and later became involved in drug trafficking.
Abelardo de la Espriella, a far-right candidate and Trump admirer, started his career defending paramilitary leaders and supports military action.
Iván Cepeda, a left-wing senator, is a human rights activist whose father was killed by paramilitary-linked army officers; he supports peace negotiations.
Violence in Colombia has increased since the 2016 peace deal with major rebel groups.
Current president Gustavo Petro promotes a “total peace” approach to negotiate with all armed groups; Cepeda backs this strategy.
Paramilitary groups committed severe violence including massacres and torture targeting civilians and groups seen as enemies or undesirable.
The election result will decide how Colombia deals with ongoing armed violence starting August 7 when the new leader takes office.
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Iran is linking its negotiations with the United States to the situation in Lebanon, specifically Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, a group supported by Iran. This connection could allow Iran to use diplomacy to protect Hezbollah from military pressure, which may affect regional security and international interests such as freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
Iran wants to combine talks on sanctions, Lebanon, and maritime security into one deal.
Hezbollah is an armed group funded and supported by Iran to act as a shield against attacks on Iran itself.
Recently, Iran is using negotiations with the U.S. to protect Hezbollah, rather than just the other way around.
Israel faces threats from Hezbollah’s missile arsenal, impacting the safety of communities near Lebanon.
Freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is important worldwide and is being linked by Iran to other regional issues.
There are concerns that allowing Iran to protect Hezbollah through diplomacy could encourage other countries to use similar tactics.
The situation challenges President Trump’s foreign policy approach based on showing strength.
Israel wants peace but not by allowing Hezbollah to remain armed and shielded from military actions.
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A leaked list revealed many influential people attending secretive Dialog retreats started by billionaire Peter Thiel. The retreats gather politicians, tech leaders, and media figures from various countries to discuss global issues. The exact role of each person on the list and their level of involvement remains unclear.
Key Facts
The Dialog retreats began in 2006 and are invitation-only events at luxury locations worldwide.
The gatherings include US politicians from both parties, top tech executives, foreign officials, and media writers.
The leak was discovered in the website's hidden source code on June 15 and shared by an online activist.
Key names listed include Elon Musk, OpenAI president Greg Brockman, Senator and congress members, and officials from Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Japan.
Some participants have strong ties to President Donald Trump and conservative politics.
The organization says Dialog promotes non-partisan discussions, but some attendees say they had only brief or distant involvement.
This year’s Dialog event will be held in Dublin and plans to cover topics like nuclear power, global conflicts, sex, and cults.
Journalists have reached out to listed individuals to clarify their participation but details are still limited.
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Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon have killed at least 16 people, even though there were reports of a new ceasefire to stop fighting. The attacks follow recent conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has increased tensions and affected peace talks involving the US and Iran.
Key Facts
At least 16 people were killed and 12 wounded in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon’s Nabatieh district.
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel led to the cancellation of peace talks in Switzerland about Iran’s nuclear program.
The new interim US-Iran agreement requires a stop to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Israeli officials say the strikes target Hezbollah after rocket and drone attacks from the group.
A deadly strike hit a residential building in Barish, killing a family of four.
Violence began after Hezbollah hit an Israeli tank, killing four soldiers including an officer.
Hezbollah says it will follow a ceasefire only if Israel stops attacks and does not occupy new areas.
The US-Iran deal has reopened the strait of Hormuz, an important oil shipping route closed earlier in the war.
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Two freight trains crashed on a railway bridge in Munich, Germany, causing two train cars to fall about 5 meters (16 feet) onto the street below. One person died in the accident, and the cause of the collision is still unknown.
Key Facts
The crash happened overnight on a railway bridge in Munich, Germany.
Two wagons from the trains fell off the bridge onto the street below.
The wagons that fell were empty and carried no cargo.
One person died from the collision, but their identity was not released.
No other injuries were reported from the accident.
The street under the bridge was closed during cleanup and recovery.
Officials have not yet determined why the trains collided.
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A reenactment of the slave trade was performed on Juneteenth at a historic fortress in Accra, Ghana. This event took place during a conference focused on supporting a United Nations resolution that calls slavery the “gravest crime against humanity.”
Key Facts
The reenactment showed scenes of the slave trade on Juneteenth.
It happened outside a fortress in Accra, Ghana.
The fortress was historically used for transporting enslaved people.
Ghana is hosting a conference about slavery and its impact.
The conference supports a UN resolution about slavery.
The resolution describes slavery as the worst crime against humanity.
Leaders at the event are asking for reparations related to slavery.
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Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says the situation in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, is very dangerous due to heavy Israeli attacks. At least 50 people have died, and rescue teams struggle to help those injured because of ongoing shelling.
Key Facts
Nabatieh in southern Lebanon is facing heavy Israeli military attacks.
At least 50 people have died, including a Lebanese soldier.
MSF reports many serious injuries like head wounds, heavy bleeding, and shrapnel damage.
Rescue teams cannot safely reach many injured people due to constant shelling.
Israeli attacks increased after Hezbollah killed four Israeli soldiers.
Despite President Donald Trump announcing a ceasefire agreement, Israeli attacks continued.
Israeli airstrikes destroyed homes and residential buildings in Nabatieh.
Talks in Switzerland between the U.S. and Iran aiming at a peace deal have been delayed due to the violence.
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Sir Keir Starmer, the UK Labour leader, appears increasingly likely to step down after poor election results, with Andy Burnham poised to replace him. Burnham is popular and seen by many as the best chance to improve Labour’s position ahead of future elections.
Key Facts
Sir Keir Starmer may soon resign as Labour leader amid internal party pressure.
Andy Burnham is a strong contender to become the next Labour leader.
Burnham is well-known for his work as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
He has previously served in government roles including health secretary and Treasury minister.
Labour has faced several election defeats in 2025 and 2026, including losses in Wales.
Some ministers currently loyal to Starmer believe he should not fight to keep his job.
Starmer had privately said he thought he could win a leadership contest but many disagree.
There is tension inside Downing Street about Burnham’s rising influence and comments.
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A German journalist named Eva Maria Michelmann has been released and returned home after being held in Syria since January 18. She was arrested in the city of Raqqa during a military operation and had spent time in solitary confinement.
Key Facts
Eva Maria Michelmann is a German freelance journalist who worked in Syria since 2002.
She was arrested on January 18 in Raqqa during a military raid on a building linked to a local armed group.
The Syrian authorities said she initially claimed to be Spanish and working for a UN-related group, but this was not confirmed by the UN.
Michelmann spent a long time in solitary confinement while detained.
A Kurdish journalist, Ahmed Polad, was arrested at the same time but his whereabouts are still unknown.
The German embassy in Damascus and Beirut helped negotiate her release and provided consular support.
Raqqa was under Kurdish-led administration until January 2026, when the Syrian government took control.
Michelmann’s family confirmed she arrived home from Jordan on Friday and is doing well under the circumstances.
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Mona Khalil, a Lebanese marine activist who protected sea turtles and ran the Orange House Project sanctuary near Tyre, died after suffering injuries in an Israeli airstrike. Her work focused on turtle conservation, and she remained dedicated despite past conflicts and attacks on her home.
Key Facts
Mona Khalil was 76 years old and led a turtle sanctuary called the Orange House Project in southern Lebanon.
She protected a mile-long beach where loggerhead and green sea turtles nest.
An Israeli airstrike hit her house, severely wounding her; she later died from these injuries.
Khalil had lived abroad during Lebanon's civil war and returned in 1999 to start her conservation work.
Her project combined wildlife protection with eco-tourism, hosting volunteers and tourists.
She fought against harmful fishing practices like dynamite fishing in her area.
Her home had been targeted in previous conflicts, including the 2006 war.
Local groups praised her work and condemned the airstrike that led to her death.
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The Los Angeles Police Department released bodycam footage showing an officer fatally shooting a woman’s dog named Jameson after responding to a noise complaint that turned out to be a false alarm. The incident led to public outrage, an ongoing investigation, and a fundraising campaign to honor the dog.
Key Facts
Police responded to a call about a woman screaming in her apartment, which was later found to be a celebration of the New York Knicks’ NBA championship.
The dog, Jameson, a 2-year-old Saint Bernard doodle, was wearing a Knicks shirt with his owner, Marseille.
Officers asked for the dog to be put inside but the dog came out and moved down a hallway toward an officer, who then shot Jameson twice.
Jameson did not bite anyone and was described by the owner as playful and not aggressive.
The LAPD has a use-of-force policy for hostile dog encounters that includes non-lethal options before using a firearm.
The shooting has sparked public outrage and led to a fundraising campaign with over $215,000 raised to date.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the footage "disturbing and tragic" and supports a full investigation, which may take up to a year.
The dog’s family plans to create a nonprofit foundation to help animals in Jameson’s memory.
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The UK government plans to use facial scanning technology next year to estimate the ages of asylum seekers who arrive without age documents. An internal report shows this technology often makes mistakes, especially for people from Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to concerns about fairness and accuracy.
Key Facts
The UK will use AI to estimate asylum seekers’ ages by scanning their faces starting next year.
Many asylum seekers lack official documents to prove their age.
If children are wrongly identified as adults, they lose legal protections and may be held in adult detention centers.
Tests revealed the technology often misclassifies children as adults and has racial biases.
The system performed worse for Sub-Saharan Africans, who are the largest group arriving in the UK by small boats.
For young girls from Sub-Saharan Africa, the system’s age prediction could be off by about 4.6 years.
A scientific committee advising the UK government on age estimation was disbanded during this testing period.
The UK Home Office says it is working to improve age verification and is testing this facial scanning technology.
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Since the start of 2026, drone strikes in Sudan have killed over 1,000 civilians, according to the United Nations. This increase in drone use has changed the course of the three-year conflict, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
More than 1,000 civilians in Sudan have died from drone attacks in 2026.
The conflict in Sudan has lasted for three years.
Drone warfare has become more common in this conflict.
The United Nations calls the situation in Sudan the "world's worst humanitarian crisis."
The information comes from a report by the UN and France 24’s regional correspondent.
The conflict is causing many people to suffer and flee their homes.
Increased drone use marks a new, dangerous phase in the war.
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Every year, Paris hosts the Fête de la Musique, a big music festival marking the start of summer. In 2025, many young British tourists traveled to Paris to enjoy parties and live music during this event.
Key Facts
The Fête de la Musique is a music festival held every summer in Paris.
It features live music and parties that last throughout the night.
In 2025, a large number of young people from the UK visited Paris for the festival.
The festival celebrates the beginning of the summer season with music and fun.
The trend shows growing tourist interest from Britain in Paris’s cultural events.
The event includes public performances and street celebrations across the city.
The influx of British tourists highlights cross-Channel travel for cultural experiences.
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The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced a plan to ban children under 16 from using social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, following a similar policy in Australia. The article discusses how social media is deeply embedded in modern family life and questions whether such bans can realistically prevent children from accessing these platforms.
Key Facts
The UK plans to ban social media use for children under 16 on major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, Snapchat, and YouTube (except kids’ versions).
This ban is based on a similar policy already in place in Australia, where teenagers are already finding ways around the restrictions.
The UK government describes its policy as stronger than Australia’s, calling it “Australia-plus.”
The author shares personal experience of being addicted to social media alongside his young son, showing how screens are common in everyday life.
The ban is part of an effort to protect children, similar to measures restricting underage drinking or smoking, even though complete prevention is unlikely.
Children’s use of social media influences their views on money and success, potentially creating misunderstandings about work and earning money.
The author reflects on the challenge of modeling good behavior as a parent in a screen-filled culture.
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